On 14 November 2025, in Islamabad, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Pakistan highlighted that diabetes affects 34.5 million people in the country, including one in three adults. Pakistan carries the highest diabetes burden globally in percentage terms and accounts for over 40% of estimated cases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
To address this growing health challenge, WHO and the Ministry of Health are conducting diabetes screening activities across medical facilities, promoting early detection and healthy lifestyle choices. Many people remain unaware of their condition, which increases the risk of severe complications such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and lower limb amputation.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal emphasized the importance of early detection and preventive measures through the Prime Minister’s Diabetes Programme, encouraging citizens to get tested, adopt healthier diets, and increase physical activity. WHO Representative Dr Luo Dapeng echoed this message, describing diabetes as a silent killer and urging timely treatment and lifestyle changes to reduce risks.
Globally, diabetes has surged from 200 million cases in 1990 to 830 million in 2022, with the fastest growth occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Type 2 diabetes, in particular, can often be prevented, and the impacts of all types of diabetes can be minimized through healthy eating, physical activity, early diagnosis, avoidance of tobacco, reduced sugar intake, and appropriate medical care.
